Press Conference: Body found in Wolf Creek identified as Jake Wilson

Jeremy Neiswonger, stepfather of Jake Wilson, and Megan Neiswonger, Jake’s mother, listen during a press conference at the La Porte City Fire Department on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Authorities said they found human remains in and around Wolf Creek are consistent with Jake Wilson on Aug. 14.

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The Gazette

Update 4:16 p.m.:

Jeff Reinintz, jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com

LA PORTE CITY – Authorities have confirmed that bones found in Wolf Creek earlier this month are those of missing teen Jake Wilson.

But it still isn’t known how Jake died.

Police Chief Chris Brecher disclosed the results of forensic tests by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation State Laboratory findings during a Wednesday afternoon press conference.

Wilson, a 16-year-old autistic student, disappeared on the night of April 7 when he said he wanted to walk down to Wolf Creek, a few short blocks from his home, and would be right back.

When he didn’t return, police, deputies and firefighters searched the area. The following day, hundreds of volunteers joined the effort, which continued for weeks.

Recreational kayakers found human remains in the creek on Aug. 14 after fluctuations in the water level, and authorities spent days scouring the area for additional evidence.

Update 4:10 p.m.:

Authorities at the press conference today said they have positively identified the body found in Wolf Creek is the body of Jake Wilson, who had been missing since April and was found by kayakers on Aug. 14.

While the body has been identified, officials stopped short of revealing a cause of death, saying investigations into the circumstances behind Wilson's disappearance are still under investigation.

Previous Coverage:

A news conference is scheduled at the La Porte City Fire Station today, August 29, 2018 at 4 p.m. regarding DNA results on the body found in Wolf Creek.

During a conference on August 16, officials stopped short of confirming the bones located in and around Wolf Creek were those of Jake Wilson, 16, who had been missing since April.

The authorities needed to perform DNA tests, and the results of those tests are expected today.

Since Wilson went missing, hundreds of volunteers had searched for him, and authorities said during the conference that the area where the bones had been located was previously searched many times.

“We have been in a position where the weather has allowed the creek to recede substantially over the last couple of months. We believe this is what allowed the kayakers who were out on the water to locate this,” La Porte City Police Chief Chris Brecher said during the conference on August 16.

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